Pope Francis calls gender theory 'extremely dangerous' — declares surrogacy births 'deplorable'

Pope Francis called the practice of surrogacy births "deplorable," likening the act to turning a baby into an object of trafficking. At the same time he warned of the dangers of "gender theory" while encouraging international dialogue.

In an official address for 2024, the pope touched on the respect for human life and rights, "starting with the life of the unborn child in the mother’s womb."

The life of the child cannot be "suppressed or turned into an object of trafficking," he continued, specifically pointing to surrogacy births.

"In this regard, I deem deplorable the practice of so-called surrogate motherhood, which represents a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child."

This was was based on the exploitation of a mother's material needs, the pope went on, adding that a child should never be the "basis of a commercial contract."

This language appeared to have been tweaked, as several outlets had previously reported the pope as using the word "despicable" in his description of surrogacy, which appeared to be have been replaced with "deplorable."

The pope went on to note that there have been attempts to introduce new human rights that are "neither fully consistent with those originally defined nor always acceptable."

"They have led to instances of ideological colonization, in which gender theory plays a central role; the latter is extremely dangerous since it cancels differences in its claim to make everyone equal," he explained.

The "ideological colonization" has sowed division rather than peace, the pope said.

Pope Francis encouraged dialogue as well and stated that it must be the "soul of the international community."

"Organizations established to foster security, peace, and cooperation are no longer capable of uniting all their members around one table."

These organizations are at risk for "ideological polarization" and "exploitation" by individual states, he added.

In November 2023, Pope Francis made headlines when the Vatican sent a letter to German religious officials who were suggesting radical propositions, such as allowing homosexual relationships and female priesthood.

In September 2023, the pope said that Europe is not facing a migrant crisis and challenged nations to open their ports to migrants.

"May we let ourselves be moved by the stories of so many of our unfortunate brothers and sisters who have the right both to emigrate and not to emigrate, and not become closed in indifference," Francis said. "In the face of the terrible scourge of the exploitation of human beings, the solution is not to reject but to ensure, according to the possibilities of each, an ample number of legal and regular entrances."

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